The History of Greece

by Goldsmith

Excerpt

Alcibiades foments a war between the Athenians and Lacedemonians. |the Athenians attempt the reduction of Sicily. History of Syracuse, the capital of that island. Alcibiades condemned to death for refusing to return home in obedience to the commands of his countrymen. Syracuse besieged by the Athenians under Nicias. Gylip pus, the Laceda'emonian general, comes to the aid of the Syracusans. Ls defeated by Nicias. De feats that general in his turn. Nicias receives a reinforcement from Athens under the conduct of Demosthenes, an ancestor of the famous orator of the same name. The Athenians attack the fort of Epipola'e. Are repulsed with great slaughter. Resolve to abandon the island. Delay their departure on account of an eclipse of the moon. Attempt to escape by sea. Prevented by the enemy. Begin their march by land. Lose their way the night, and separate into two bodies. One of these attacked, and made prisoners. The other likewise attacked. Most of them cut in pieces. The rest taken prisoners. The common men thrown into dungeons. Nicias and Demos thones put to death. The government of Athens altered. Alcibiades recalled. His great success. Opposed by Lysander, the Spartan. Disgraced, and succeeded by Conon. Battle of E as Pota mos. End of the Peloponnesian war. Haracter of Homer, Hesiod, Eschylns, Sophocles, Euri pides, Aristophanes, Herodotus, and Th ucydides.